T&T internationals, striker Marcus Joseph and midfielder Jomal Williams combined for the three goals that led W Connection to a 3-1 win over hosts Pt Fortin Civic and also widen its lead at the top of the 2018 T&T Pro League standings on Saturday night.
However, the win at the Mahaica Oval, was not as straightforward as it seemed as Joseph had to wait until four minutes before the half-time interval to give the visitors the lead with his first of two goals.
Williams then made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, before Joseph, who made his return to the senior national team which defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in Spain earlier this month, then doubled the lead in the 64th minute. It was his ninth of the season, and 16th in all competitions.
Four minutes into time added on, Pt Fortin Akeem Redhead netted a consolation item. His team is winless to date.
The victory lifted former champions W Connection to 19 points from seven matches, five clear of second-placed San Juan Jabloteh (14 points), while Defence Force and Central FC are next with 13 points each, one more than Police FC.
In the second match of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Police also won 3-1 over defending champions North East Stars.
Stars' messed with a hornet’s nest when Allister Bernard fired the Zoran Vranes-coached side in front after 28 seconds, the fastest goal of the season, with a right-footer past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.
Police hit back with a brilliant double and an assist from star striker Kareem 'Scooby' Freitas to defeat the league holders.
First, Freitas levelled for Police from distance in the 15th minute and 12 minutes later he completed his double off a short Christon Thomas feed to put the Lawmen in front by beating goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel again to carry his league tally to eight.
Freitas later turned provider in the 66th minute with a delightful chip in the penalty area to find substitute Kareem Perry who brought the ball down off his chest before fired past Samuel to put the match out of North East Stars’ reach.
To add to their woes, Stars defender Lashwan Roberts was shown a red card in stoppage time for a foul on Police FC substitute and former national youth player, Micah Lewis, just outside the 18-yard box.
Police will next host Morvant Caledonia on Tuesday after Terminix St Ann's Rangers meet Club Sando in a double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo while North East Stars, will visit Pt Fortin Civic at Mahaica Oval.
Central FC, 7-1 winners over Rangers in Saturday's opener at Couva will come up against Defence at Couva from 8 pm after W Connection and Jabloteh meets each in a top-of-the-table tie from 6 pm.
RESULTS
Central FC 7 (Duane Muckette 58th pen, Akim Armstrong 61st, Russel Alfred 63rd, 82nd, 83rd, Jameel Neptune 67th, 78th) vs St Ann's Rangers 1 (Kerry Baptiste 7th)
Police FC 3 (Kareem Freitas 15th, 27th, Kareem Perry 66th) vs North East Stars 1 (Allister Bernard 1st)
W Connection 3 (Marcus Joseph 41st, 64th, Jomal Williams 61st) vs Pt Fortin Civic 1 (Akeem Redhead 90th+4)
Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Sheldon Holder 81st) vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jomoul Francois 5th)
Defence Force FC 1 (Devorn Jorsling 16’) vs Club Sando 0
Current T&T Pro League standings:
Teams*P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
1. W Connection*7*6*1*0*20*3*19
2. San Juan Jabloteh*7*4*2*1*8*4*14
3. Defence Force*7*4*1*2*21*9*13
4. Central FC*7*4*1*2*18*12*13
5. Police FC*7*4*0*3*14*12*12
6. Club Sando*7*3*1*3*9*10*10
7. Morvant Caledonia*6*1*3*2*10*10*6
8. St Ann's Rangers*7*2*0*5*3*26*6
9. Pt Fortin Civic*7*0*2*5*4*14*2
10. North East Stars*6*0*1*5*6*13*1
Upcoming fixtures
Tomorrow
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers vs Club Sando, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, 6 pm
Police FC vs Morvant Caledonia United, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, 8 pm
W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 6 pm
Defence Force FC vs Central FC, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 8 pm
Point Fortin Civic vs North East Stars, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 7 pm